Personal Finance for Beginners: A Lesson from Oseola McCarty

Written by on · 21 Comments

So many people are intimidated by the concept of managing their money. It almost seems as if the very idea that we can be in control of our money is just a made up fairytale that only a few get lucky enough to take advantage of. Many believe that wealth is out of their reach and only something the top money earners get to experience. The myth is that you have to earn a lot to build wealth. I would like to introduce you to a woman who rejected that notion. Her name is Oseola McCarty, and she is a […] Read more »

The Cold Hard Truth: Debt is STUPID and You Might Be Too!!

Written by on · 38 Comments

Seriously…This is Where Behavior Meets Reality! Are you in debt up to your eyeballs and wondering how come you just can’t get ahead? This may surprise you since I do not know you, but I do know the answer. It’s real simple and really not a secret, especially here on Enemy of Debt. Wanna hear it? DEBT IS STUPID!! Plain and simple, and if you have debt then it could be said in all seriousness that you have been stupid too. The act of going into debt for ANYTHING is stupid, with the exception of mortgage and most of you […] Read more »

Life is Like a Budget?

Written by on · 10 Comments

What if Forest Gump would have said, “Life is like a budget. if you have a plan you’ll have some idea of what you’re going to get“? Nothing is perfect, so I am not suggesting that just having a plan is enough. Plans go wrong, but that’s precisely what this post is about—treating your life like a budget when they do. Think of it like this. You have 24 hours in a day. In that 24 hour time you have to decide what you are doing and how long it will take you. If you spend more time on something […] Read more »

The Benefits Of Becoming A Minimalist Are Starting To Sink In

Written by on · 24 Comments

Hey everyone! Since yesterday’s post was so long, and I have two posts for you today, this one will be brief. I just wanted to talk about something that I have been thinking a lot about lately. GETTING RID OF STUFF! I have come to realize that you actually have more by owning less. Getting rid of stuff is almost as liberating as paying off debt. And of course, just like with our debt, it took us a while to realize that it needed to go. We have recently decided to put our house on the market. That’s right, if […] Read more »

Lifestyle Design And Debt Freedom Go Hand And Hand

Written by on · 13 Comments

Ever heard of lifestyle design? Ever dreamed of debt freedom? We often go through life blindly heading in whatever direction the wind blows, rarely questioning our purpose or direction. All we know is that popular phrase we all seem to embrace—“Thank God it’s Friday!!” Friday is the the most popular day of the week right? When we reach Friday we know we have the weekend to do WHATEVER WE WANT. It’s almost our purpose for the entire week. (ZOMBIE-LIKE) “Make it to Fri-daaay.” We enjoy our weekend so much that when the dreaded M-word registers in our head late Sunday […] Read more »

No More Mondays And Why Everyday Is Friday Now

Written by on · 52 Comments

Hello everyone! Happy Monday! I am going to share some news with you today that I am excited about. We have made a pretty bold, but confident decision that involves my employment. You could say it all started with two books, but really it started at the time I started working. We all dream of doing what we want to do as opposed to what we feel we have to in order to survive financially, but actually doing it is a completely different story. The books that encouraged me to eventually take the plunge was No More Mondays and 48 […] Read more »

Are You Looking To Improve Yourself In 2010? Accept My Challenge And You Could Win $100!

Written by on · 2 Comments

  The New Year Is Approaching Fast, Are You Ready For Real Change? Would you like to improve yourself in 2010 and have fun at the same time? I do, which is why I decided to join the Improve Yourself! 2010 8 Week Challenge. Dustin over at Engaged Marriage is a great friend, and the guy with the master plan to help you, me, and whoever else wants to, accomplish our resolutions for 2010. (details below) Special Enemy of Debt Challenge and Giveaway!! As someone who believes wholeheartedly in setting goals, which is a big part of Enemy of Debt, […] Read more »

Reader Question: Where Do I Start If My Income Is Nothing?

Written by on · 11 Comments

First, I would like to let everyone know that I am on vacation this week. I intend to post as usual but don’t want to promise anything only to disappoint anyone. I am currently in Savannah, Georgia on my way to Orlando (NOT going to Disney), Fort Lauderdale, and Naples. We plan to return on Tuesday of next week, but could possibly stay longer since we aren’t under any real time constraints. Now that is out of the way, I would like to discuss a readers question that I have been wanting to respond to for a while now. After […] Read more »

A “Go Green” Personal Finance Challenge

Written by on · 5 Comments

Enemy Of Debt Goes Green! These days it’s impossible to turn your head 1 degree to the right or left without being bombarded by the “green” bandwagon.  It has become the marketing slogan of choice and from the looks of it, it has been super successful.  Companies have seemingly just had to add the green campaign to their product and people feel good about their purchases. Personally, I think people should adopt a conservation approach regardless of what politicians try to scare us into believing.  Global Warming doesn’t have to be real for people to consume less and be more […] Read more »

Minimalism: “Do Not Spoil What You Have, By Desiring What You Have Not”

Written by on · 4 Comments

This is a guest post by David from Life Excursion and the newly founded The Minimalist Path. I am sorry to say, but I am not here to bring you the best and brightest make-a-million-dollars-in-the-next-hour-and-never-worry-about-budgeting-again article. What I am here to tell you is that if you are looking for a kick-start way to bring about a lifestyle that allows you to be a full force enemy of debt, I may be able to help. I have been a big fan of Brad and Enemy of Debt for a couple months. He has helped me financially in ways he doesn’t […] Read more »

Your Comfort Zone – Is It Really Your Friend Or Actually Your Foe?

Written by on · 12 Comments

Does Fear Keep You In Your Comfort Zone? “Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new.” ~ Brian Tracy About five years ago I had a conversation with my father-in-law that changed how I started making decisions.  It really didn’t happen overnight exactly, but it did happen. There was a time when I lacked confidence in myself and my ability that kept me from experiencing my potential.  I was told that I needed to step outside of my comfort zone, that I needed to […] Read more »

“He Who Has Not Christmas In His Heart, Will Never Find It Under A Tree.” ~Roy L. Smith

Written by on · 13 Comments

The Spin-Off First I just want to thank everyone for participating in yesterdays discussion.  I enjoyed it so much and am pleased to see that all of you did too.  SO THANK YOU!  To be honest yesterdays post started as just another Christmas Gift idea article.  Then it transformed into what you enjoyed so much, so I left out the original idea to shorten the post. People go absolutely insane come Christmas.  They let guilt, popular opinion, and the need to impress others take over their wallets.  They say things like, “I have to get them something, they might buy […] Read more »

Government Reliance Vs. Personal Responsibility- Wait Or Create?

Written by on · 4 Comments

Now I have said this before, but I’ll say it again.  This is not a political blog, and I intend to keep it that way.  However, with so many things happening right now in Washington that a) involves money and debt, and b) involves you, I think it’s relevant.  I want to compare Government reliance to personal responsibility.  I think personal responsibility has more benefits, delivers greater success, and allows us to be more free in the process.  I think Government reliance robs us of incentive, and keeps us inside the box where our options are limited. We all know […] Read more »

Individual Responsibility – A Challenge

Written by on · Leave a Comment

Enemy of Debt And Frugal Freedom Living Team Up! Another friend of mine over at Frugal Freedom Living created a page (excerpts below) to highlight our similar beliefs on individual responsibility.  Clair Schwan contacted me after reading a few of my articles and we talked about success, personal responsibility, and of course debt freedom.  Clair is a good friend to have and has put together a very insightful website to help you see frugality in a different light.  I know people that view frugality as something someone who is greedy and wants to hoard money partakes in.  It’s quite the […] Read more »